Man to spend life in prison for brutal 2020 murder

Shaquille Foulkes, known as “Max,” was sentenced to life in prison on Monday for the 2020 murder of Hanuman Jadunauth, of Pouderoyen, West Coast Demerara.
Justice Simone Morris-Ramlall, delivering the ruling at the Demerara High Court, ordered that Foulkes would not be eligible for parole until he had served 33 years.
The sentencing came nearly five years after Jadunauth’s brutal death, during which he suffered multiple stab wounds to his chest and neck. The court heard that Foulkes, who had a previous conviction for armed robbery, showed no remorse throughout the trial. His conviction was secured through damning surveillance footage, witness testimony, and forensic evidence, all of which painted a picture of his involvement in the crime.

In determining the sentence, Justice Morris-Ramlall set a baseline of 30 years. However, after considering multiple factors, she adjusted the term accordingly. Five years were deducted based on social inquiry reports, but an additional five years were added due to the cruelty of the offense. Another three years were imposed due to Foulkes’ prior conviction for armed robbery in 2018, for which he had served 28 months.
During the sentencing hearing, a family member of the victim delivered a heart-wrenching victim impact statement, describing the deep loss and pain caused by Jadunauth’s murder. The relative spoke of the emotional and financial toll on the family, emphasizing how his death had left a void that could never be filled. The courtroom was tense as the statement was read, with some relatives visibly emotional as they recalled the last moments of the man they knew as “Baccoo.”
Jadunauth’s murder occurred between March 30 and 31, 2020. He was last seen alive in the company of Foulkes and another individual on the night of March 30 in Pouderoyen. Surveillance footage later played in court showed Foulkes striking Jadunauth, who was carrying a water bottle, as witnesses claimed he had been forced to fetch it. Another chilling clip captured Foulkes walking alone down Swan Street, now holding a knife in his hand.
At about 04:45h the next morning, police were called to Swan Street, where they found Jadunauth lying unconscious in the roadway, covered in blood. He was rushed to the hospital, but died. A post-mortem examination confirmed that he had died from stab wounds that punctured his lung and trachea. Additional injuries, including abrasions to his chest and face, suggested he had been beaten before being killed. The autopsy also revealed that he had consumed alcohol prior to his death.
Two days after the killing, police arrested Foulkes, who admitted to being the man in the surveillance footage but denied stabbing Jadunauth. He claimed another individual had dropped the knife, which he picked up and discarded in a trench at the end of Swan Street. He later led officers to the location, but the weapon was never recovered.

Throughout the trial, prosecutors dismantled Foulkes’ claims, presenting multiple witnesses who placed him at the scene before and during the attack. One witness testified to seeing the stabbing take place. Additionally, Foulkes’ own contradictory statements weakened his defense. He initially told police he had left a party that night and gone directly to his aunt’s house in Meten-Meer-Zorg, West Coast Demerara. However, during his arrest, he led officers to a residence in Pouderoyen, where a search was conducted. He also denied living in the area, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.
After considering the evidence, the jury returned a unanimous guilty verdict. The prosecution, led by Christopher Belfield and assisted by Muntaz Ali, argued that the crime was premeditated and committed with extreme violence, warranting a severe sentence. Defense attorney Lawrence Harris had pleaded for leniency, but the court found that the brutality of the crime and Foulkes’ past criminal history justified the life sentence.
With the sentencing now complete, Foulkes will begin serving his term at the Mazaruni Prison, where he will spend the next three decades before he can even be considered for parole.